11 28 2006

TURKEY TRIUMPH

AN ORCHESTRA OF ART

Women’s basketball grabs pair of victories during holiday weekend

Works inspired by local scenery, objects on display at Tantra Coffeehouse

SEE SPORTS PAGE 10

SEE TRENDS PAGE 4

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

WWW.UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM

CRASH

NOVEMBER 28, 2006

TUESDAY

VOLUME 96, ISSUE 37

COURSE

ASG announces top three student grievances

Automobile wrecks cause power outages, guardrail damage

By A.N. Hernández The University Star A committee dedicated to improving pride at Texas State was created Monday by the Associated Student Government.

The Pride and Traditions Committee will serve as an internal board that will encourage the implementation of university traditions among future freshman.

“We’d like to paint San Marcos maroon and gold,” said Sen. Rae Magel, author of the legislation.

Magel is already looking into traditions of other Texas universities, including Baylor, University of Texas and Texas A&M. She also plans to work with the Texas State Alumni Association.

“We don’t want all of our traditions to be set out by the administration — I know personally that I don’t,” she said. “They have good ideas but I think the students need a voice for that. This would be a way to give students a voice.”

In other business, Camille Phillips, president of the Council of Neighborhood Associations, introduced an initiative to create a 45-acre park on the intersection of Ranch Road 12 and Craddock Avenue.

Phillips said she wants to fill the park with benches, walking and running lanes. She is currently taking suggestions, which include a bird sanctuary, jogging trails and bike trails.

“I would like the park to promote community fitness,” she said. “I would like to have a park that people with kids in strollers and people in walkers can come to enjoy.”

Phillips said although the association has not begun asking for money, she hopes the park comes to fruition. The land, owned by local dentist Jack Weatherford, is for sale at $5 million.

Phillips said it’s been a controversial piece of land for the last 10 years. In October, a 20-acre tract of this land was being negotiated for purchase by Wal-Mart, but has since fallen through.

Phillips was relieved the deal fell through and said the land can now be used as a park.

“All this time the neighbors were reacting to proposals, waiting to jump in,” she said. “But, working to create a park is proactive.”

ASG President Kyle Morris said he thought the park was an interesting initiative but had not taken a formal position yet.

Sen. Reagan Pugh also announced the results from the ASG grievance session held Monday in The Quad. He said the top three complaints from students were parking, on-campus food and the Texas State Tram system.

ASG approved a memorandum from Morris appointing Sam McCabe as Legislative Relations Director. The appointment ended McCabe’s term as voter registration czar.

“Like Kyle said, there are two initiatives we want to look at — what we do with other universities and what we do as a university,” McCabe said.

McCabe said one of the first things he plans to work on is providing tax-free textbooks for Texas State students.

ASG also voted to remove four senators, Sen. Bianca Camacho, Sen. Justin Garcia, Sen. Sean Robles and Sen. Darryl Pilate, for excessive absences.

Sen. Megan Titus was approved to succeed Pilate as Senate Pro Tempore.

Monty Marion/Star photo MIDIGHT MESS: A San Marcos Electric Utitility worker clears a downed power line early Monday morning behind the Undergraduate Admissions Center on Fredericksburg Street after a Toyota 4Runner struck and knocked down a utility pole.

By David Saleh Rauf The University Star

A

Texas State student was charged with a DUI-minor and issued a ticket for unsafe speed late Sunday evening after she lost control of her SUV and crashed into a utility pole, causing a black out in the neighborhood behind San Jacinto Hall.

The crash was the second on Sunday involving a Texas State student. Earlier that evening,

a resident from Butler Hall lost control of his vehicle on Sessom Drive, across from the commuter parking lot, and flipped into a drainage ditch outside the agriculture building.

Taylor Thompson, mass communication freshman, was leaving the San Jacinto Parking Garage when she turned onto Fredericksburg Street and lost control of her vehicle, causing her to swerve around the corner and strike a utility pole located across the street from the Balcones Apartments complex. Thompson said

the crash was due to sprinkler run-off in the street that caused her vehicle to slide.

“I slid on the water and was hydroplaning,” Thompson said. “I tried to straighten myself out and I ended up running into a telephone pole.”

San Marcos Police Officers who were on the scene refused to offer an assessment on See CRASH, page 3

Students, Bobcat Buddies learn value of mentorship

By Eloise Martin The University Star The Comal Independent School District honored Texas State students with certificates Monday, thanking them for their time spent mentoring children within the district through the Bobcat Buddies program.

Kathleen Fite’s human growth and development course paired undergraduates with students from CISD to gain real-world experience in the field of education. Fite, curriculum

and instruction professor, began the program in 1989 and has since overseen more than 2,000 children mentored by students from her classes.

Fite said the goal of the program is to ensure students are in the right field of education.

“We want to make sure they want to be teachers,” she said. “Make sure they have a good heart.”

David Rickter, program director, said Bobcat Buddies also gives the students an opportunity to get first-hand experience in the school

district.

“They get to talk to teachers about lesson plans and better understand the role of a teacher,” Rickter said.

Rickter said the buddies are able to interact with college students, showing them it is possible to pursue higher education, even if they come from a family where college is not necessarily the goal.

“Some may have parents who never went to college,” Rickter said.

The university provides 60 to 80 volunteers each year from Fite’s class.

The buddies are chosen from teacher recommendations, then paired with a Texas State student, Rickter said, and may need extra attention for social or academic reasons.

The program is offered as extra credit, one point added to a final exam score for five hours of mentoring. For most of the mentors, they end the experience with more than just a higher grade.

“I started because I needed the See BUDDIES, page 3

Benefit walk raises brain injury awareness Hughson Heights homeowners oppose

By Christina Kahlig The University Star The second-annual Walk for Thought, hosted by the Brain Injury Association of Texas and sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega, was held Nov. 18. The three-mile walk raised money through individual and team donations and spread an awareness of brain injuries throughout our community and state.

“One hundred forty-five thousand Texans a year suffer brain injury, and only about 5 percent have adequate resources to get proper care,” said Eric Makowski, newly elected president of the Brain Injury Association of Texas.

Robert Hamilton, education chair for the Brain Injury Association of Texas, said this is an amazing way to spread information about brain injuries.

“This is a good time to help educate people with brain inju-

ries while so many soldiers are coming back with brain injuries,” Hamilton said.

Alpha Phi Omega, a Texas State service fraternity, sponsored this year’s Walk for Thought and had volunteers leading games and activities.

“I have met so many people with brain injuries that are just amazing,” said Samantha Graves, service chair for Alpha Phi Omega. “It has been a fun experience for all of us.”

Alpha Phi Omega sponsored the event to raise awareness for head injuries, said Bob Johnson, the fraternity’s community services adviser and member services chair for the Brain Injury Association of Texas. His daughter, Laurie Johnson, was left with a brain injury after a horse-riding incident in 1987.

“This walk has increased my awe of youth in our community because I have been inspired,” Johnson said.

Today’s Weather

Mostly Sunny 83˚/63˚

Precipitation: 10% Humidity: 64% UV: 3 Moderate Wind: S 13 mph

“T

his is a good time to help educate people with brain injuries while so many soldiers are coming back with brain injuries.”

— Robert Hamilton Brain Injury Association of Texas education chair

Each year, 144,000 Texans sustain a traumatic brain injury, the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults. According to the See WALKATHON, page 3

Two-day Forecast Wednesday Isolated T-Storms Temp: 81°/ 60° Precip: 30%

Thursday Scattered T-Storms Temp: 66°/ 28° Precip: 30%

removal of roadway diverters

By Zach Halfin The University Star Hughson Heights neighborhood residents convened Nov. 21 at City Hall to voice objection to the San Marcos City Council regarding the possible removal of roadway diverters on Hughson Drive, Algarita Road and Chapparal Street at Craddock Avenue.

In May 2004, the city council passed an ordinance calling for the installation of diverters to restrict through traffic in neighborhoods. City Manager Dan O’Leary said the diverters were installed temporarily to relieve traffic in Hughson Heights until the light at Ranch Road 12 and Craddock Avenue was installed.

The City of San Marcos Traffic Advisory Board voted Oct.

24 to recommend removal of diverters and implementation of traffic studies to determine whether the recent addition of the light at Ranch Road 12 and Craddock has adequately reduced traffic in Hughson Heights.

“At the same time, the council asked the staff to include an improvement to the Ranch Road 12 and Craddock intersection to make the traffic flow more smoothly,” O’Leary said.

“Also, at that time the council asked that the ordinance come back to the council for their reconsideration of this decision after these improvements were made.”

The roadway barricades prevent drivers on Craddock Avenue from turning down any streets leading to Hughson Heights en route to Ranch

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Road 12.

Ed Davis, Hughson Heights Neighborhood Association representative, opposes the removal of the diverters, saying traffic reduction is a matter of safety in his neighborhood.

“The diverters have slowed down most of the volume of traffic in our neighborhood.

They have been effective,” Davis said. “The real problem is speeders, reckless drivers and drunken drivers through our neighborhood. The barriers alone cannot give our children the safety measures on our streets that they must be afforded.”

Davis said some drivers cutting through his neighborhood travel at excessive speeds, despite nearby pedestrians.

See COUNCIL, page 3

To Contact Trinity Building Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2006 The University Star

PAGE TWO Tuesday in Brief

November 28, 2006

starsof texas state

Dale Bulkley has been named one of six recipients of the 2006 Texas State Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Bulkley, of New Braunfels, is a 1981 criminal justice graduate of then-Southwest Texas State. He founded the Prevention Dimension International in 2003 to train private security officers to prevent kidnappings and learn negotiation techniques when dealing with criminals

when someone is abducted.

“Our success rate is high for getting people back,” Bulkley said after returning from negotiations in Tijuana. “Our company has negotiated 700 cases, and there has been only one death.”

— Courtesy of Texas State Public Relations

News Contact — David Saleh Rauf, starnews@txstate.edu Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

Creative Color

TUESDAY The Catholic Student Center will have a pre-Advent Penance Service at 7 p.m. in the CSC chapel.

COMM CLUB will be selling sausage wraps and drinks in The Quad from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Catholic Student Organization will meet at 7 p.m. in the CSC. There will be a free lunch for all students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CSC lobby.

Overeaters Anonymous will meet at 12:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland St. For more information call (512) 357-2049.

An on-campus Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 5 to 6 p.m. For more information call the Alcohol and Drug Resource Center at (512) 2453601.

The Tennis Club will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at the tennis courts on Sessom Drive, behind Joe’s Crab Shack. All skill levels are welcome. For more information e-mail the Tennis Club President Chris Harris at ch1282@txstate.edu.

San Marcos Toastmasters Club meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lone Star Café at the Prime Outlet Mall (Interstate-35 exit 200 at Centerpoint Road). There will be an optional dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Visitors and guests are always welcome. Practice your speaking, listening and thinking skills; boost self-confidence; develop leadership skills. For additional information call Ren Linér at (512) 353-0217, e-mail smtoastmasters@yahoo.com or

1520 — Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan reached the Pacific Ocean after passing through the South American strait. The strait was named after him. He was the first European to sail the Pacific from the east.

visit www.sanmarcos.freetoasthost.org Students interested in becoming involved with the community, making business connections and learning leadership skills can attend the Students in Free Enterprise at 4:15 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room 113.

1582 — William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway were married.

WEDNESDAY

1757 — English poet, painter and engraver William Blake was born. Two of his best known works are Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience.

Texas State Blood Drive will be held in J. C. Kellam, Room 460 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed for lunch 12-1 p.m.) Walk-ins are accepted but appointments will be taken first. To schedule an appointment, go to www. lonestardonor.com.

Texas State Women’s Basketball will play Huston-Tillotson University at 5:30 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum.

Texas State Men’s Basketball will play Alcom State University at 7:30 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum.

American Marketing Association presents their End-of-Semester Social at 5:30 p.m in LBJSC, Room 3-13.1. All majors are welcome. Free food & drinks will be available starting at 5:15 p.m. More information is available at www.business. txstate.edu/AMA. The Intertribal Council, formerly known as the Native American Students Association, invites you to the Native American History Month event called “Celebration of the People” to be held in LBJSC Amphitheater from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Earth First Organization will be having their weekly meeting at 4 p.m. in the Evan Liberal Arts, Room 314. Any questions can be e-mailed to Bogan Durr at bd1132@txstate.edu.

On this day...

1919 — American-born Lady Astor was elected the first female member of the British Parliament.

Jeannie Yamakawa/Star photo Farrah Hosein, communication design sophomore, works on a painting for her color theory class Sunday afternoon in the Sabinal Building photography lab. Hosein’s art is also produced for her San Marcos-based business, Lambader Fantasy Art.

CRIME BL TTER University Police Department Nov. 19, 12:54 a.m.

Alcohol: Minor in Possession/Peques Lot An officer observed a student in possession of alcohol. Upon further investigation the student was found to be a minor and was issued a citation.

Nov. 19, 12:27 a.m.

Alcohol: Minor in Possession/Peques Lot An officer observed two students in possession of alcohol. Upon further investigation both students were found to be minors and were issued citations.

Nov. 19, 1:27 a.m.

Alcohol: Minor in Possession/Peques Lot An officer observed a student in possession of alcohol. Upon further investigation the student was found to be a minor and was issued a citation.

Nov. 19, 1:31 a.m.

Alcohol: Minor in Possession/Peques Lot

An officer observed a student in possession of alcohol. Upon further investigation the student was found to be a minor and was issued a citation.

Nov. 19, 4:54 a.m.

Failure to Comply/Striking Unattended Vehicle/Falls Parking Lot An officer was dispatched on a report of a hitand-run. Upon further investigation, a student was identified as a suspect in striking the vehicle. The student was arrested and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center to await magistration. In addition, the student was issued a citation for public intoxication.

Nov. 19, 8:38 a.m.

Burglary of Motor Vehicle/Blanco Garage An officer observed a vehicle with a broken window. Contact was made with the owner; the student stated items had been stolen from her vehicle. This case is under investigation.

Library Beat Alkek Library will offer extended hours for finals Need a quiet place to prepare for final exams? Once again Alkek Library will be offering extended hours before and during finals.

On Saturday and Dec. 9, Alkek Library will be open longer than usual, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Alkek Library will be open 24 hours a day for around-theclock study during two periods: from 1 p.m. on Sunday through 10 p.m. on Dec. 8; and from 1 p.m. Dec. 10 through 5 p.m. Dec. 12.

The library service points (Circulation, Reference Desk, Computer Lab, etc.) will maintain their regularly scheduled

hours. For information on specific services, go to the library Web site at www.library.txstate.edu and click the “hours” link or call the Circulation Desk at (512) 245-3681 for information.

Patrons are reminded that the Public Lounge on the first floor is the place for snacks and drinks — food is prohibited in all other parts of the library, and drinks are allowed in closed containers only. The library’s cell phone policy restricts conversation to enclosed spaces (stairwells, restrooms, copy rooms and the Public Lounge). Everyone’s cooperation is greatly appreciated as we head into the semester’s busiest time of study.

— Courtesy of Alkek Library

Event discourages students from holiday drinking and driving The Alcohol and Drug Resource Center will sponsor an event in which students will be asked to sign a card pledging not to drink and drive over the holidays. The signed cards will be mailed over winter break as a reminder of the pledge. The pledge states: If students do drink, they plan to give their keys to a sober friend, arrange for a designated driver, take a cab, call Student with Alternative Transportation (SWAT), take public transportation or stay overnight where they are drinking. Students who do not plan to drink during the holidays may also sign the pledge card.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 17,013 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic deaths in 2003. These deaths represent 40 percent of the 42,642 total traffic fatalities.

The holidays are a particularly dangerous time for travel.

In 2005, 1,579 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes between Thanksgiving and Dec. 31. In 2004 there were 179 alcohol-related deaths during Thanksgiving break and 147 during Christmas break.

Students who sign a pledge card will be placed in a drawing to win an MP3 player. T-shirts and other prizes will be distributed to students who participate in the fatal-vision goggle activity. This event, entitled Winter Challenge, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Tuesday in The Quad. Other sponsors of the event are The Network, Men Against Violence, University Police Department and SWAT. For more information on drinking and driving prevention, visit MADD’s Web site at www.madd.org. For more information on the Winter Challenge event, call Julie Eckert at (512) 245-3601.

— Courtesy of the Alcohol & Drug Resource Center

www.UniversityStar.com

1922 — Capt. Cyril Turner of the Royal Air Force gave the first public exhibition of skywriting.

He spelled out, “Hello USA. Call Vanderbilt 7200” over New York’s Times Square.

1925 — The Grand Ole Opry made its radio debut on station WSM. 1934 — The U.S. bank robber George “Baby Face” Nelson was killed by FBI agents near Barrington, IL. 1942 — 491 people died in a fire that destroyed the Coconut Grove in Boston.

1943 — President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Leader Joseph Stalin met in Tehran to map out strategy concerning World War II. 1953 — New York City began 11 days without newspapers because of a strike of photoengravers.

1958 — The African nation of Chad became an autonomous republic within the French community.

1963 — President Johnson announced that Cape Canaveral would be renamed Cape Kennedy in honor of his assassinated predecessor. The name was changed back to Cape Canaveral in 1973 by a vote of residents.

1964 — The U.S. launched the space probe Mariner IV from Cape Kennedy on a course set for Mars.

1977 — Larry Bird was introduced as “College Basketball’s Secret Weapon” with a cover story in Sports Illustrated.

1978 — The Iranian government banned religious marches.

1979 — An Air New Zealand DC-10 flying to the South Pole crashed in Antarctica killing all 257 people aboard.

1985 — The Irish Senate approved the Anglo-Irish accord concerning Northern Ireland.

1987 — A South African Airways Boeing 747 crashed into the Indian Ocean. All 159 people aboard were killed.

1989 — Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci arrived in New York after escaping her homeland through Hungary.

1990 — Margaret Thatcher resigned as prime minister of Britain.

1992 — In Bosnia-Herzegovina, 137 tons of food and supplies were to be delivered to the isolated town of Srebrenica.

1992 — In King William’s Town, South Africa, black militant gunmen attacked a country club killing four people and injuring 20.

1993 — The play “Mixed Emotions” closed after 48 performances.

1994 — Jeffrey Dahmer, a convicted serial killer, was clubbed to death in a Wisconsin prison by a fellow inmate.

1994 — Norwegian voters rejected European Union membership.

1995 — President Clinton signed a $6 billion road bill that ended the federal 55 mph speed limit.

NEWS

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

The University Star - Page 3

CRASH: Student flips car on Sessom Drive CONTINUED from page 1

whether or not the run-off water caused Thompson’s vehicle to hydroplane but said speed was definitely a factor.

The crash caused the utility pole to snap and collapse on the passenger side of Thompson’s 2006 Toyota 4Runner. Amanda Hawkins, psychology sophomore, and Caroline Crosby, mass communication freshman, were also in the vehicle.

Crosby was taken to Central Texas Medical Center and treated for lacerations to her nose.

SMPD Corporal Kathy Anderson said she smelled alcohol on Thompson’s breath but did not administer a field sobriety test. Anderson said Thompson was not drunk but was charged with a DUI-minor.

“She’s just underage and drinking,” Anderson said.

Thompson admits to drinking alcohol earlier in the evening but said she was not drunk when her vehicle hit the utility pole.

“I had one glass of wine but that’s it,” she said. “They’re making it seem like it was some kind of drinking related accident and it wasn’t at all.”

Thompson said it was ridiculous that she was being charged with a DUI because the wet ground caused her to hit the pole, not the alcohol. She in-

tends on pleading not guilty to the charge because there was never a field sobriety test administered to prove she had been drinking.

“They’re giving me a DUI because they can smell alcohol on my breath but they don’t know how much,” she said. “There are other people around me that have been drinking more than I have. Yeah, I’m saying that I’ve been drinking, but I haven’t been drinking even nearly enough to be considered a DUI.” Texas law states that a minor commits an offence if he or she operates a motor vehicle in a public place while having any detectable amount of alcohol in their system.

DUI-minor is a class-C misdemeanor that can result in a 60-day license suspension and fine of up to $500.

The crash caused the area near the corner of Fredricksburg and Lindsey Street to lose power for about two hours. San Marcos Electricity Utility crews arrived about an hour after the crash and restored power to the area by 2 a.m.

“We isolated where the fault is and made the line hot, so we got everybody back on,” said Thomas Merdrano, San Marcos Electric Utility crewmember.

Utility crews began stripping the broken pole that evening

and had a new one erected by morning. The impact of the crash also caused the pole to hit the Undergraduate Admissions Center Annex and broke one of the windows, said Paul Chapa, University Police Department captain.

Chapa said he not sure how much the property damage will cost.

“From my understanding it was just the window,” he said.

“I’m not sure what the cost of that will be but framing it and whatnot may cost a pretty penny.”

About four hours earlier, a student traveling east on Sessoms Street also lost control of his vehicle and crashed. Police identified the student as Michael Sack, mathematics freshman.

SMPD Cmdr. Warren Zerr said the Sack was coming around a curb and over corrected his position in the street when he hit the guardrail and flipped into the drainage ditch.

Sack was taken to CTMC and treated for injuries. Zerr said he was not sure of the extent of Sack’s injuries.

“He hit the guard rail and went into the drainage ditch,” Zerr said. “It rolled and landed on its top. It looks like he just went around the curb and lost control, which is not hard to do over there.”

Monty Marion/Star photo LONG WAY DOWN: A towing crew works to pull a Toyota Camry out of the Sessom Drive drainage canal outside of the agriculture building Sunday night after its driver lost control and flipped off the road.

BUDDIES: Mentorship program ‘ray of sunshine’ COUNCIL: Grande CONTINUED from page 1

extra credit, but I ended up with a oneon-one experience,” said Rachael Hakim, interdisciplinary studies junior. “Now I really love this girl. I want to see her mature.”

Hakim’s buddy was Kasandra Soto, a fourth-grader at Frazier Elementary School. Soto said she wanted to have a Bobcat Buddy because she needed a friend. The two met on Fridays to play

games and do schoolwork. Soto was nervous at first, but said after her first meeting with Hakim she became excited for the time they had together.

“Having a friend is good,” Soto said.

Jillian Miller, interdisciplinary studies junior, and her buddy, a second-grader at Goodwin Primary School, spent their time together reading, playing games and going to book fairs. “I have mentored in the past,” Miller said. “I do it so I can get

to know all types of kids.”

Her buddy said he also learned from Miller and hopes he can still see her in the future.

Although the program is designed for college students to gain experience, Rosa Linda DeLa Cerda, Goodwin Primary School project director, said the students who receive the mentoring also benefit.

“The extra attention is like a ray of sunshine for these kids,” she said.

WALKATHON: Proper rehabilitation, support help patients with brain injuries recover

Karen Sherlock/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel HURTING HEROES: Troy Tuschel (right) watches television at home in Hales Corners, Wis. with his wife, Cindy, and stepson Jonathan. Tuschel suffered the most common injury of soldiers in modern war, traumatic brain injury, as a result of explosion shock waves.

CONTINUED from page 1

Brain Injury Association of Texas, more than 381,000 Texans are living with a disability because of traumatic brain injury and more than 5,700 are permanently disabled.

Rose Pelzel of Midland is a candidate for secretary of the board for the Brain Injury Association of Texas and is starting a support group to gather information about brain injuries to disperse throughout West Texas.

“My son, Brian, was 23 when he was in a car accident. He had a brain stem injury, and the doctor said he would be a vegetable,” Pelzel said. “In 2005, Brian got his driver’s license back. We kept telling him, ‘Don’t ever give up.’ This shows what can happen if you have the proper rehab and support.”

The teams that raised money conversed with other brain injury survivors while photos were taken and games were played.

“Brain Injury Association does such

great things for our country,” said Jason Ferguson, brain injury survivor. “Four years ago I was thrown from my car, and they said I would never walk or talk again.”

Before the walk began, $28,000 was raised, compared to last year’s $3,500.

“I do what I do to help others not have to go through what I did,” Ferguson said.

For more information on the Brain Injury Association of Texas, visit www. biatx.org.

expands job base, announces 40 to 60 new jobs CONTINUED from page 1

“Far too many drivers speed at 50 to 60 miles per hour on this 30-mile-per-hour street coming from Ranch Road 12 to the apartments and duplexes on Craddock,” he said. “There are times that this street sounds like a drag strip with engines screaming, tires squealing and vehicles going at very high rates of speed.”

Corina Jaimez, resident of Hughson Heights, said she supports the removal of the diverters because turning into the neighborhood via Ranch Road 12 is dangerous.

“I want a safe street, but I want to get rid of the diverters simply because I do not have access to my street in a safe manner,” Jaimez said.” I cannot go to the light to get to my house.”

Mayor Susan Narviaz directed the Traffic Advisory Board to look into alternative measures and determine the cost of creating permanent diverters if needed.

“We need to leave the diverters in until we have another solution,” Narviaz said.

“I don’t think you can take them out and just plant a solution because you are just bringing back a potential problem you just avoided.”

The council also adopted a resolution approving a development incentive with Grande Communications, involving the creation of 40 to 60 new jobs in San Marcos.

O’Leary said the deal rewards Grande for creating high-paying jobs in San Marcos.

“Grande will renovate approximately 7,000 square feet of its current facility and hire 40 to 60 new employees at this location,” O’Leary said. “They have agreed to pay a minimum $35,000 salary, not including benefits.”

In return, the city will provide Grande with a $2,500 grant for each fulltime employee who completes one full year of employment, O’Leary said.

The city will increase the grant to $5,000 if the employee resides in San Marcos, and it will set a cap at $175,000, he said.

Narviaz said she was looking forward to the new employment opportunities for San Marcos residents.

“These are jobs that pay much higher than our current jobs here in town,” she said. “We anticipate they will begin hiring the first part of January and have these positions filled by February.”

Automakers under fire from environmental coalition

By Justin Hyde Detroit Free Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court could determine whether the U.S. auto industry will face tougher regulations on cars and trucks because of concerns about global warming.

The court will hear oral arguments Wednesday in a case brought by a coalition of 12 states, three cities and environmental groups seeking to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to consider whether it should regulate carbon dioxide from vehicles, which account for 23 percent of the United States’ output of the gas.

Carbon dioxide is considered by many scientists to be one of

the heat-trapping substances raising temperatures around the globe. It’s a byproduct of burning gasoline, so reducing emissions requires higher gasoline mileage from vehicles.

The EPA rejected a similar argument in 2003, saying the Clean Air Act was never meant to address global warming and that it could not regulate global warming gases from vehicles.

Major automakers, including General Motors, Ford, Toyota and DaimlerChrysler, say that the states don’t have the right to force the EPA to address global warming and that “scientific uncertainty, regulatory inefficiency, technological infeasibility and foreign policy concerns” all favor no additional rules.

Although legal experts say the Supreme Court may skip

the environmental questions in the case for a variety of technical reasons, it highlights the increasing pressure the industry could face from state lawmakers concerned that the federal government isn’t doing enough.

The industry has been locked in a legal battle with the state of California since 2004 over the state’s attempt to impose fuel economy standards of up to 40 miles per gallon on some vehicles as a way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The industry says only the federal government has the power to set such rules.

California Attorney General Bill Lockyear sued the six largest automakers in September, seeking millions of dollars in damages for what he said were unlawful contributions to glob-

al warming from their vehicles.

Some states have sued the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for not setting new fuel economy standards for trucks high enough.

The states and environmental groups in the Supreme Court case say the Clean Air Act requires the EPA to consider carbon dioxide an air pollutant and regulate it accordingly.

A court of appeals upheld the EPA’s decision last year.

“If we win the case, the EPA goes back and makes a decision based on science and law,” said Lisa Heinzerling, one of the lawyers representing the states and the environmental groups.

The government contends that even if it wanted to change the rules, developing new technology and rolling it into the

vehicle fleet would likely take two decades before affecting “a tiny percentage reduction in worldwide greenhouse gas.”

The Supreme Court is expected to rule in the case by July, but regardless of the outcome, automakers will face more pressure over their role in global warming from the next Congress.

California Sen. Barbara Boxer, the Democrat who will become chairwoman of the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee next year, has praised California’s regulations on automakers and promised extensive hearings into global warming.

She’s also a co-sponsor of a bill in the current Congress that would raise fuel economy standards to 35 mpg for all vehicles by 2017.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - Page 4

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Songs for Christmas Sufjan Stevens

Superman Returns — (PG-13) Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth

See No Evil — (R) Glen Jacobs, Christina Vidal

Clerks II — (R) Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson

Nobody Knows Pink

Trends Contact — Maira Garcia, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Coffeehouse fulfills local cultural interests

Human Need

By Kathleen Parrish The Morning Call

By Laura Jamison The University Star

A tasty blend of brushstroke and color awakens the soul at Tantra Coffeehouse.

Lauren McEwan, studio art junior, currently has her artwork on display at the coffeehouse. A piece of her work, titled “My World Turns,” took her about six months to complete.

“I tried this painting back in April, and I got so frustrated with it that I just stopped. I had a three or four month rut, and then I went to the river. That day I came back home and started painting.

I guess you could say I am a very emotional painter,” McEwan said.

The painting contains shades of purple that enclose upon a sad woman trapped in the middle of flower-laced circles.

“It just kept going in circles. It felt like I was being sucked in. It is not supposed to be sad, but that is just the face that I saw. It is a very strong emotion to be sad and grieving, so I think that came out,” McEwan said.

McEwan is a long way from kindergarten but still finger paints.

“I do not even use my brushes very much anymore … I just use a pallet knife and my fingers. I use my fingers to blend and the pallet knife to scratch,” she said.

McEwan said she hopes her paintings will help people relate.

“My biggest hope is that I offer someone something to relate to in a situation that I didn’t have something to relate to,” McEwan said.

Tantra, a new business in San Marcos, promotes local artists by hosting art exhibits featuring their work. The exhibit is rotated around the 15th of every month, with the majority of artwork done by local artists in Dormouse Fantabulous Artist Co-op.

Nathan Todd, co-owner of Tantra, said they check out portfolios once a week and select about 10 to 15 different artists for each exhibit.

“I actually hired a guy who is the head of the Dormouse cooperative, a univer-

Airline personnel, psychologists strive to combat fear of flying

Deleigh Hermes/Star photo RISING ARTISTS: Studio art junior Lauren McEwan has work currently on display at Tantra Coffeehouse.

sity and local artist group, to run the art shows and find someone who will be the featured artist,” Todd said.

Eric Jencsch, manager of Tantra, said a piece of mixed-media artwork by Johnny Villarreal was a personal favorite and has piqued interest at the coffee shop.

“I have seen a lot of mixed media coming in working at the coffee shop. I hear a lot of conversations and talking about what’s going on in the world, and that

seems to be what people are looking at right now,” Jencsch said.

The piece is composed of handmade paper, a bee’s nest, seeds and bees’ wax.

It is currently untitled.

Jencsch described the human need for art, like music.

“It is that quiet song that everyone just needs to sit back and listen to. They need to find their own quiet song, and together we become this orchestra,” he said.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — For some people, going home for the holidays is about as pleasant as getting January’s credit card bill. There are obnoxious relatives, lumpy foldout couches and fanny-expanding fare.

But for those afraid to fly, the worst part of the holiday comes before the gifts are exchanged.

“I was a mess, I was hysterically crying,” said Helen Moyer of Allentown, Pa. of the times she had to fly before getting help from a hypnotherapist. “I was convinced I was destined to die in a plane crash. I’d write letters to my family saying, ‘I love you.’”

Moyer isn’t alone. Roughly one in six people is afraid to fly, said Stacey Chance, an American Airlines pilot who offers an online course at www.fearofflyinghelp. com to help ease the jitters of anxious fliers.

“I see people getting on the airplane who are pretty nervous,” said Chance, who’s been a pilot for 22 years. “Some are so scared they won’t make eye contact, or they might have some ritual where they tap the door before they board. It’s overwhelming for them. Since I do this for a living, I wanted to be able to share how safe and routine it is to fly.”

Chance estimates between 400 and 500 people a day visit his Web site and of that number, between 30 and 50 will complete the free online course.

“Hits on the Web site increase during the holidays,” he said. “You get people who normally don’t fly — and the stresses of seeing family, that adds to it.”

For Moyer, it was a sudden drop in altitude during a flight to Cancun that triggered her aversion to the friendly skies.

“Everyone on the plane started screaming,” she said. “That started it all and then little by little, the thought of having to go on a plane was overwhelming.”

Glen Arnold, an aviation psychologist in Bakersfield, Calif., said people may be spooked by

“P

eople don’t understand how flight works, so that can cause anxiety.”

—Glen Arnold aviation psychologist

turbulence, but swirling air currents have never caused a plane to crash.

“People don’t understand how flight works, so that can cause anxiety,” he said. “If there’s an engine problem, they conclude an airplane is losing its ability to fly.”

But that doesn’t happen. If a plane did lose use of its engines, it would maintain flight and descend, said Arnold, who operates Thairapy, a program that uses relaxation techniques coupled with basic aeronautic education.

White-knuckle fliers can suffer from claustrophobia or a fear of heights or develop a phobia after a major event, such as the death of a parent or birth of a child, Chance said. Others are afraid of losing control.

“They ask me if it’s possible to open a door while flying,” he said.

“They’re afraid they might freak out and open a door uncontrollably.”

Al Forgione, director of the Institute for Psychology of Air Travel in Boston, said fearful flyers are usually highly intelligent people who have vivid imaginations.

“It’s imaginations gone wild,” he said. “They’re falling through the floor, the wings are burning off. Fear has no regard or sympathy. It doesn’t save you from anything. The first thing we drill into people is it’s only a feeling. Just because you feel anxiety doesn’t mean something bad is going to happen.”

Alumnus offers deals on winter trip

By Jessica Sinn The University Star Start the New Year with homegrown country music, five champagne-snow-covered mountains and world-class skiing at Steamboat, Colo. or enjoy the stunning view of Lake Tahoe as you slide down the slopes at Heavenly, Calif.’s snowboarding party scene.

Steamboat’s 22nd annual music festival will be in full swing Jan. 4 to 9. This 2,900-acre ski resort boasts 30 all-star country and Americana bands and various levels of terrain for skiers and boarders.

Dickson Productions provides a MusicFest package, including 6 days and 5 nights’ lodging, a 4-day ski-lift pass and free access to all concerts and special showcases. Depending on hotel accommodations, prices range from $199 to $663 per person.

John Dickson, Dickson Productions president, said the

package includes a wide variety of hotels, inns, lodges and condos located within a mile of the mountain base. Dickson said the festival is not just about skiing; it’s about having fun with friends and enjoying good music.

“The festival is about getting together and having a good time,” Dickson said. “People come to Steamboat with their friends and leave with twice as many friends.”

Dickson said his company is able to offer inexpensive packages because of buying power and supportive sponsors. He said all packages include discounts on high-performance ski and snowboard rentals, quality hotel accommodations and money-saving discount books.

“The package is probably the most affordable out there.

Steamboat is the largest and most popular ski resort in the country. Our buying power keeps the prices low,” he said.

“We’re able to offer free music because we have sponsors.”

Cory Morrow, Robert Earl Keen, Cross Canadian Ragweed and the Randy Rogers Band are just a few of the popular country bands slated to perform.

Shows are held at a wide array of venues: a 2,000-capacity tent, a pub, a grand ballroom and an outdoor stage.

“The cool thing about the music on both weeks is the wide variety,” Dickson said. “You can go to different places within walking distance and check out all sorts of different music.”

Dickson said Steamboat’s ski and snowboard experts are available to assist skiers and boarders of all levels at low costs.

“We have all-day beginners’ lessons that are only $10,” Dickson said. “Also, we offer private lessons and extreme cat-skiing, where we take skiers up on a mountain to ski on snow that hasn’t been skied on before.”

Dickson, a Texas State alumnus, created MusicFest over 20 years ago at Texas State. He is proud of his alma mater and supports Texas State by doing benefits for the Center for Texas Music History.

“This festival started at Texas State in 1985 at the rec-sports department,” Dickson said. “I decided to pull together a ski trip and took it to another level.”

The Center for Texas Music History focuses on the preservation of historic Texas and Southwestern music. Dr. Hartman, associate history professor and director of the Center for Texas Music History, said Dickson helps the program raise money for concerts by conduct-

Monty Marion/Star photo UP FOR GRABS: Fliers advertising vacations with www.collegeskitrips.com crowd the message boards in Old Main.

ing fund-raisers at MusicFest.

“At MusicFest, John and I started a Tribute to a Legend concert,” Hartman said. “Each year we feature a legendary musician in Texas music. This year we’re featuring Leon Russell. We’re able to connect the younger generation to the older generation by getting young song writers to get up and do a tribute to legendary artists.”

If snowboarding and nonstop college parties are more your style, Heavenly Ski Resort boasts a larger-than-life party scene and year-round sunshine.

Matt Zito, president of CollegeSkiTrips.com, said skiers and boarders will have breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe’s scenic beauty as they ski down

the slopes.

“Half the town is in Nevada, half is in California,” Zito said.

“It’s truly unique because you can actually ski in two different states.”

The package includes five nights’ lodging at The Block, a boutique hotel, and a four-day lift ticket. The Block is a oneblock walk away from the gondolas and resort, and Zito said its rooms are fully loaded and close to all the area’s clubs, casinos and diners. Depending on group size and room accommodations, prices range from $389 to $489 per person.

Zito said every night at The Block is a nonstop party. Party revelers enjoy chugging brewskies on the rooftop hot tub and

playing strip-pool in the hotel’s Vivid Room.

“We represent The Block in Tahoe,” he said. “It’s geared toward young people ages 18 to 25. There’s free WiFi, freebies — discount books are given out at check-in — and the rooms are decorated in art déco.”

✯FYI For more information about Steamboat MusicFest, call (866) 369-8080, or go to www.themusicfest.com For more information about Heavenly Ski Resort, call (800) 848-9545, or go to www.collegeskitrips.com

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Page 5 - The University Star

Filming underway for horror movie, extras needed in Buda

By Danielle Elisabeth Madsen The University Star Texas State students will have their chance at 15 minutes of fame in the movie The Lights, the majority of which is currently being filmed in Kyle. Extras are needed for a baseball scene at 7 a.m. Sunday at Buda’s Hays High School baseball field.

The horror film is about a crazed serial killer, James “Jack” Carter, who is driven insane by the infamous and unexplainable west Texas Marfa lights.

Extras can wear blue and white or normal clothing. The extras will pose as fans and will need to wave and cheer in two sets of bleachers with the possibility of a close-up.

Kerry Wallum assists in producing the film and plays the part of Jack Carter.

“It’s going to keep people on their toes. They’ll wonder what’s going to happen next,” Wallum said.

Producer Sherry Everett believes the film is unique and stands out in the horror genre.

“I think it’s the best horror film I’ve read in years. We’ve done a twist — our guy uses a machete and a ball-peen hammer. Heads will roll not only on screen but in the aisles,” Everett said.

Bonnie Orr is head producer of The Lights, wrote the script for the film and is the manager of Ranch Studios, The Lights’ filming location.

“It’s real exciting that we are about to start shooting. The tagline for the film is, ‘When you see the lights … run,’” Orr said.

Derek Nixon will produce and act in the film. He plays the part of Brad Taylor, a baseballplaying teen terrorized by Jack Carter.

“I think everybody is pushing really hard towards this project and it’s a fantastic piece of work and film,” Nixon said.

t’s the best “I horror film I’ve read in years.

Heads will roll not only on screen but in the aisles.”

— Sherry Everett The Lights producer

✯FYI Extras can call Production Coordinator Tiffany Hargis at (210) 859-0324. Interns are also needed. Time and location of the extras scene is subject to change.

More information about The Lights can be found at www. thelightsmovie.com

SU DO KU Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3-by-3 box contains every digit from one through nine inclusively.

Thursday’s solutions:

© Pappocom

Thursday’s solutions:

✯Star Comics

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Page 6 - The University Star

ADVERTISEMENT

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

onlineconnection Will you be spending your break working, staying in San Marcos or visiting friends and family? Go to www.UniversityStar.com to vote in our online poll. Results will be published in the first issue of next semester’s The University Star.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - Page 7

*This is not a scientific poll

Opinions Contact — Emily Messer, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

A

t least once a semester, our campus is graced with representatives from Campus Ministries U.S.A. and Open Air Outreach, and each time a crowd gathers around them making a huge, embarrassing fuss.

FANNING THE FLAMES Argumentative students play into evangelists’ hands

Campus Ministries is led by George Edward Smock and Open Air Outreach is helmed by Jesse Morrell. Smock and Morrell’s followers travel to college campuses across the U.S. preaching hard-line, evangelical Christianity to students whom they apparently see as not-quite-hopeless sinners. Every time they visit Texas State, a crowd gathers to gawk and argue with them.

One of the catches that comes with freedom of speech is it applies to everyone. Even if you don’t agree with what a person has to say, even if what they say is downright offensive, no one can tell that person not to say it — unless you’re with the FCC. Gathering around Smock and his followers and making a scene only legitimizes their crusade. On any major city street, these people would be ignored. At Texas State students crowd around and try to argue with them. Sometimes the arguments are coherent discourses rooted in religious texts. Sometimes they consist of, “I love getting drunk!”

None of them accomplishes anything.

If you are interested in what the folks from Campus Ministries U.S.A. have to say, then stop and listen politely. If you don’t care what they have to say, there is no reason to stand around drawing attention to them.

People who claim to oppose Smock’s followers only increase their publicity by helping them create a scene. Certainly The University Star encourages open and public debate, but anyone who has spent more than five minutes watching these people preach knows there is no hope of changing their minds. Trying to argue with them is pointless. Screaming at them, jostling them and stealing their signs is not only pointless, it’s disrespectful. If we are going to accept free speech, and we probably should because it’s in the Constitution, then we need to let these people have their 15 minutes and not create a stink.

It may seem unfair that The Star is counseling you to ignore people you disagree with. Most of the complaints we hear about Campus Ministries are claims that its members are intolerant of others. That may be, but the response from open-minded citizens should not be to harass them. An open-minded person, when confronted with orators like Smock and Morrel, stops, listens and, if he or she doesn’t like what is being said, walks away. Some people Kelly Simmons/Star illustration might try to debate and state their views, but as we’ve said before, with these crowd that gathered the last time one of them people that would be pointless. came to campus had to say — most students If Texas State students don’t want people don’t, then the way to realize that goal is to igfrom Campus Ministries coming back to nore them. Demagogues can’t exist without the Texas State, and — judging by what the masses.

Letters to the Editor Hate, bigotry in The Quad As many students viewed on Nov. 15 and 16, the freethinking, self-proclaimed “Saint Jesse” was back in The Quad spreading his messages of hate and bigotry disguised as Christianity. I am a firm believer that the freedom of speech and religion are fundamental to what has made this country great. I am not against Christianity or any other religious belief, but at what point do we step in and stop allowing hatred to be obviously spread on our campus?

As college students, we are seen as open-minded and usually open to ideas different than our own. This openmindedness is what allows us to learn and create change in society. I was appalled not just that several people agreed with the hate message that this evangelist was spreading, but even cheered as he spread it. As Jesse preached to the students in The Quad, it became obvious to me and many others that he was not here to enlighten us or bring us the word of God. He was on our campus merely to parade his holier-than-thou attitude and his belief that he is better than everyone else. I witnessed him preach against alcohol use, fornication, homosexuality, science and its conspiracy with the government, even his condemnation of every denomination that I know, including Jews, Catholics, Baptists, Protestants, Muslims and Hindus. It became clear to me when Jesse turned against even his supporters for being sinners (something he said he was not) that he believed he was the only one in the crowd who deserved the grace of God. Should people be allowed on our campus merely to remind us of how horrible we are? Or should the students be given the voice to say ‘No, I do not want you on our campus?’

Craig Graham criminal justice sophomore

The Star makes a failing grade this election The University Star has some nerve, grading others when it has largely abdicated its own responsibility to educate and inform voters. Deriding the gubernatorial race as a “clown circus” was not very informative (nor was it very amusing, which is the only thing the editorial could have been trying to achieve).

Valuable column inches are wasted reinforcing cynicism and apathy among an already apathetic, politically incurious readership, and yet the board wrings its hands hoping the actions of others “won’t scare students away from politics.”

Gregory Lim industrial technology freshman The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.

Think you have something to say? Log on to www.UniversityStar.com and click on the letters link to read old letters and submit new ones.

Underprivileged students can keep on dreaming of free tuition I While using a things. There was so beautiful day to much to think about browse the Internet, with a world of free I found a link about tuition, I wondered if I Harvard University should even dream of giving free tuition those possibilities. to underprivileged To have free tuition BRANDON SIMMONS would seem like a students. I could Star Columnist not believe my eyes thought that can never when I saw my browser. There be perceived in anyone’s mind, is now a chance for underprivi- but I still dreamt of the many leged students to receive free benefits. You wouldn’t have to tuition from one of the most work at all if you didn’t want prestigious universities in the to. Students would not have country. to take an off-campus job that This would be a great sermay not work with their class vice, since Harvard is no frugal schedule. I have had jobs off place. Their current school campus where the hours someyear costs — total — at least times made it difficult to get $44,000. So, while I was asleep a schedule I could work with. in class, I began to dream With free tuition there may be about what it would be like to more open jobs on campus, not have to pay for tuition. I and anyone who wanted to saw images of not having to work to get extra money could work crazy hours at a crazy do so. Having a campus job job, having more money for would mean you did not have books as well as many other to worry about working late

The University Star 601 University Drive Trinity Building San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

because most places close at or around 5 p.m. and only operate Monday through Friday.

My dream did not stop there.

It only got better. I dreamt that there would be more money to buy books, which are usually some of the more expensive things on my back-to-school list. I don’t know what school you go to, but books seem too expensive to me. Sometimes I have to wait just to afford one of the used books, plus extras the instructor may want.

You know those extra books — probably a lab manual or study guide that is holding up the broken leg of a chair or table. Usually students have no choice but to buy the new versions of books, which can cost almost $200.

I did not want to wake up from this wonderful dream because I also saw that free tuition would leave a lot of room

Editor In Chief...................................Jason Buch, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor.........................Emily Messer, staropinion@txstate.edu News Editor..............................David Saleh Rauf, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor....................Maira Garcia, starentertainment@txstate.edu Photo Editor...................................Monty Marion, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor..................................Chris Boehm, starsports@txstate.edu

to buy many other things. That would include clothes, a car and maybe food. Sometimes campus food may not be that good, and students could use that extra money to cook for themselves. It would probably help with trying to buy a car, especially if you stay off campus. The bus can run until 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and stops earlier than that on Fridays. Not every student stays in an apartment close to campus and no one wants to stay at home every weekend. There would also be more money left over to pay for rent and bills. There would no longer be the added stress of asking your parents for money.

As I awoke in class, my dream stayed with me. But I had to face reality when I thought about what would be the price that had to be paid

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to get “free” tuition. There are plenty of things that would have to be either raised, like taxes, or cut, like salaries. As much as people say they love education, that claim is going to face a huge test if taxes are raised a significant amount to make free tuition possible. Of course the salaries of teachers would have to be cut by a major figure. Not to mention the salaries of other employees may be cut or some programs may be cut. Then prices of books may rise so the school can compensate for the losses it has taken. The newly raised prices would defeat the whole purposes of free tuition. While there are other ways to get “free” tuition, such as scholarships and grants, that may not be possible for everyone. This year, federal budget legislation was passed and a half billion dollars were cut in the federal

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dreamt that there would be more money to buy books, which are usually some of the more expensive things on my back-toschool list. I don’t know what school you go to, but books seem too expensive to me.

education financial aid budget.

This could cause a limit on financial rewards such as the Pell Grant. Even though these things are happening in the real world it is still OK to dare to dream.

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright November 28, 2006. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

C �LASSIFIEDS ���������� THE ����UNIVERSITY �����������STAR ����

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SPORTS

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

VOLLEYBALL: CONTINUED from page 10

from the Roadrunners’ senior Brittany Hildebrand did the Bobcats in.

UTSA took the momentum into game four, breaking an 1111 tie on three straight attacking errors from the Bobcats on its way to a 30-25 win.

But UTSA’s luck ran out in game four, as Texas State turned a close game four into a blow-

Texas State turns the tide in game four against UTSA

out.

“We didn’t play like we were ahead. We played hesitant,” said UTSA coach Laura NeugebauerGroff. “We never had passion. It’s been a disappointing year. That’s how it’s been all year — expectations that weren’t fulfilled.”

With the score tied at 17, kills from Brown and senior Griffin ignited a 13-2 run that carried on through the rest of the game.

Texas State took the match 15-9

win.

“Our team decided that we’d do everything we could not to go home (with a loss),” Brown said.

“Our blocking and defense got better in game five. We kept the ball off the ground.”

Texas State jumped ahead of the Ladyjacks the following night in game one, but lost 33-31 on an attack error by Brown. The Bobcats rallied to play a close game two, but trailed most of

Wolverines’ championship chances dwindle

Michael Goulding/Orange County Register PLAYING ROUGH: Notre Dame’s Tom Zbikowski is charged with a facemask penalty on Southern California’s Chauncey Washington Jr. Saturday in Los Angeles. The Trojans’ win dampens Michigan’s chance to play for the national title.

By Mark Snyder Detroit Free Press ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In the desert, they call it a mirage.

A sight that looks real and seems real, but just when you’re close enough to touch it, nothing is there except disappointment.

That’s how the Michigan football team feels about now. The latest Bowl Championship Series standings — released Sunday night — confirmed the Wolverines’ wishes for a desert trip to Glendale, Ariz., for the Jan. 8 title game continue to dwindle.

Unless USC loses Saturday to UCLA (6-5), the Trojans will play Ohio State for the title. Michigan would head to the Rose Bowl.

Michigan dropped from No. 2 in the BCS standings behind Ohio State to No. 3 behind the Buckeyes (12-0) and Trojans (10-1). The Trojans’ 44-24 victory over Notre Dame Saturday night increased their lead over Michigan in the human polls and, most importantly, moved them ahead of Michigan in the computer rankings.

Last week, Michigan led USC by .0075. USC’s lead this week is three times that at .0254.

In the BCS system, three factors are weighed equally: USA Today’s coaches’ poll, the Harris Interactive poll and the average of six computer rankings. In the coaches’ poll, Michigan’s deficit to USC went from 16 points to 46. In the Harris poll, which features current and former media members, former coaches and former players, Michigan’s deficit to USC went from 21 points to 97 points. In the computer average, Michigan’s .960-.920 lead

The University Star - Page 9

turned into a .940-.930 deficit.

Michigan fell from second to third in The Associated Press poll of sports writers and sportscasters. That poll is no longer part of the BCS formula, but it is indicative of the national perception that the Trojans are a team on the rise and the Wolverines aren’t.

The Wolverines’ goal for a berth in the championship game appeared to be dashed by their three-point loss to Ohio State on Nov. 18. But the next day’s BCS standings revealed Michigan’s slim lead over USC. Over the holiday weekend, Michigan received good news.

Two other one-loss contenders lost — Arkansas to Louisiana State and West Virginia to South Florida. A third one-loss contender, Notre Dame, lost, but that hurt far more than it helped.

If USC should falter to UCLA, Michigan would need to hold off Florida, the fourth-place team in the BCS standings. That seems probable at the moment.

Florida’s 21-14 victory over Florida State helped the Gators close their deficit to Michigan, but only slightly. The gap between Michigan and Florida actually grew in the USA Today and Harris polls. Florida gained ground with the computers.

The Gators (11-1) finish the regular season Saturday night against Arkansas in the SEC championship game in Atlanta.

Because the Razorbacks (102) lost to LSU, they won’t be as much help to the Gators in the final polls. But SEC backers are certain to make plenty of noise this week, saying it isn’t fair a one-loss SEC team — from the conference generally regarded as

the country’s toughest — fails to make the title game. The Gators, though, are hurt by a non-conference schedule that included Southern Mississippi, Central Florida and Western Carolina.

The final BCS standings will be released at 8 p.m. Sunday on Fox. USC will close its regular season playing the Bruins at the Rose Bowl, which is ironic because that’s likely where the Wolverines will play in the stadium’s next game.

The Jan. 1 Rose Bowl — probably against a two-loss opponent such as Notre Dame or LSU, or even one-loss Louisville — won’t have the same prestige for Michigan. But, as Coach Lloyd Carr will probably say when the bowl announcements are revealed, Michigan had its chance against Ohio State — and lost, 42-39.

Before the BCS rankings came out, Carr said on Sunday’s Michigan Replay show, “There’s a lot of football to be played, and a lot of things can happen. It’s going to really be very, very interesting to see how it goes out and, regardless of what happens, there will be some controversy because that’s what we’re used to, that’s what we’re accustomed to.”

On his team’s season, Carr said, “I can never be more proud of a group for the way they attacked the season. Obviously, we’re disappointed because the standard here, the goal here, is championship football. We wanted to win the Big Ten championship, and we had a chance to do more, and who knows? Certainly, these guys have some memories, and they’ve given our fans some memories for a long time.”

the period’s second half, losing 30-27 on a Traci Rohde kill. The junior middle backer led the SFA attack with 16 kills, as five players notched at least 10.

Down 2-0 in the match, Texas State picked up a 30-22 win in game three, jumping ahead early with a Griffin kill and service ace by freshman Kacey Wimpy. Texas State led the entire game.

SFA rebounded with a 30-20 win in the game-four finale, put-

ting an end to a frustrating season for the shorthanded Bobcat squad.

“We’ve been short all season,” Chisum said. “We’ve got just two middle blockers after we lost Brandy (St. Francis) and Ashley (Stark, both out because of injuries). But you have to play under adversity, and it’s been a rollercoaster of a season. It’s still a disappointment.”

The Ladyjacks played its match

against Texas State minus the Southland Conference’s Setter of the Year, J.J. Jones. The junior complained of food poisoning after eating breakfast the morning of the match. Senior Laura Adams played in place of Jones, notching a game-high 55 assists to go with 13 digs.

“L.A. did a great job,” Humphreys said. “She played like a senior. That’s what we expect from her.”

BASKETBALL: Bobcats beat Kangaroos despite season-low from Ekworomadu CONTINUED from page 10

The game stayed close most of the night. The Bobcats were able to build a 10-point half time lead as a result of a late run sparked by five straight points from Ekworomadu. UTPA managed to stay on the Bobcats’ heels right up until the final buzzer sounded to end the game.

In Saturday’s game, the Bobcats faced more of the same with another close victory that once again came down to free throws from Leffingwell, who after the game, was named to the CenturyTel Classic all-tournament team. After sinking five free throws in the final 19 seconds of the contest, Leffingwell and the Bobcats secured a 55-51 victory over UMKC. Texas State overcame the Kangaroos, despite struggling from the floor, shooting under 30 percent for the night. Leffingwell had a game-high 18, while Putnam chipped in 11 to go with five rebounds. In a change from the night before, Ekworomadu shot 0-for-12 from the field and finished with a season-low three points.

Despite offensive struggles, the defense, which is ranked second in the conference, allowed only one player to score in double figures for the game. UMKC shot under 42 percent in the second half.

Bobcats return to action against Huston-Tillotson University 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Strahan Coliseum.

Cotton Miller/Star photo GOING UP: Junior Joyce Ekworomadu makes a lay-up Friday during the Bobcats’ 62-59 victory over Texas-Pan American.

SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

vanderjagtout

The Dallas Cowboys cut kicker Mike Vanderjagt Monday, replacing him with veteran Martin Gramatica. Vanderjagt, signed to a $5.4 million deal in the offseason, is 13-of-18 on field goal attempts this year, good for the lowest success rate (72.2 percent) of his career. The nine-year veteran missed two field goals in the first half of the Cowboys’ win over the Colts two weeks ago. Gramatica, a former thirdround pick by Tampa Bay, was out of the league last year but appeared in three games for the Colts this season while Adam Vinatieri was injured. Gramatica hit his only attempt, a 20-yarder.

— The Associated Press Sports Contact — Chris Boehm, starsports@txstate.edu

Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - Page 10

Women take two over weekend Late free throws seal holiday victories for Bobcats

Gabe Mendoza The University Star The Texas State women’s basketball team managed to get back to a .500 record after a pair of nail-biting wins over the weekend at Strahan Coliseum.

It took late free-throw shooting to seal up two close victories, but the Bobcats got the job done when it counted the most. Texas State improved its record to three wins and three losses in the early going of the season.

The 2006 CenturyTel Bobcat Classic pitted the Bobcats against the Lady Broncs of Texas-Pan American Friday night and University of Missouri-Kansas City Saturday.

The Bobcats took Friday’s contest 62-59 in the regularseason home opener, thanks to a pair of free throws from sophomore guard Ashley Leffingwell with 3.1 seconds left in the game. UTPA cut the Bobcat lead to one after a three-pointer from freshman guard Hadley Freeman with four seconds to go and quickly followed with a foul to put Leffingwell on the line.

UTPA attempted a desperation shot at the buzzer that fell short to seal the victory for Texas State.

Team points leader Joyce Ekworomadu registered a career-high 29 points to lead all scores, while Leffingwell and senior forward Erica Putnam scored in double figures as well, tallying 14 and 11 points, respectively.

See BASKETBALL, page 9

Cotton Miller/Star photo HARD STOP: Junior guard Ashley Banks takes on Texas-Pan American’s LeKeisha Gray during the Bobcats’ 62-59 win Friday at Strahan Coliseum.

Men’s basketball drops two

Volleyball ends season after SLC tournament loss Foul troubles play part in four-game losing streak

By Nathan Brooks The University Star Texas State had little to celebrate over the Thanksgiving break after suffering a pair of losses on the road against Arkansas-Little Rock and North Texas.

The losses drop the Bobcats record to 1-4 on the season.

The Bobcats aspired to get back in the winning column Wednesday night after losing two straight. Texas State was unable to hold on to a three-point lead they built at halftime, losing 83-77 against Arkansas-Little Rock.

Arkansas-Little Rock came close to losing a 66-52 advantage with eight minutes remaining in the game after a 17-7 Bobcat run cut the lead to 73-69.

But the Trojans were able to hold on in the final three minutes and 41 seconds to defeat the Bobcats.

Arkansas-Little Rock senior forward

Rashad Jones-Jennings pounded the Bobcats all game with a career-high performance of 25 points and 20 rebounds.

Texas State was plagued by fouls for the third game in a row, allowing the Trojans to shoot 34-of-79 from the line. The Bobcats were rebounded 4637.

Charles Dotson led the way for Texas State with 16 points and five rebounds, and Brandon Thomas came off the bench to score nine points, in addition to notching a team-leading seven rebounds. Matt Fullenwider provided an offensive spark off the bench scoring 12 points.

The Bobcats looked to rebound against the Mean Green from North Texas Saturday at the Super Pit, but Texas State came up short once again in the second half, losing 95-77.

With the scored tied 40-40 at half-

time, North Texas came out firing to start the second half with 17-4 run, sinking the Bobcats for the rest of the night.

Texas State shot 38.2 percent from the floor in the second half and 40.8 percent for the game. North Texas shot 59.4 percent in the second half and 54.5 percent on the night.

Fouls were an issue again for Texas State, with North Texas shooting 31of-42 from the foul line. Texas State had 17 free throw attempts on the night, converting on 13 of them.

Sophomore Dylan Moseley came off the bench to lead the Bobcats with a career-high 16 points. Dotson tied Moseley for the team lead with 16 points of his own in addition to six rebounds.

Texas State takes on Alcorn State at 7 p.m. Wednesday night at Strahan Coliseum.

Cotton Miller/Star photo ACCESS DENIED: Junior guard Brandon Thomas (5) and junior forward Matt Fullenwider block out a University of Arkansas-Little Rock player during the Bobcats’ 83-77 loss Nov. 22.

By Chris Boehm The University Star The NCAA tournament will not feature Texas State this year, for the first time in three seasons.

The Bobcats bowed out of the Southland Conference Volleyball Championship Nov. 18, falling in four games to Stephen F. Austin in second-round action at Texas-San Antonio’s Convocation Center.

“Hats off to SFA,” said Coach Karen Chisum. “(But) that’s not the best SFA can play.”

SFA defeated TexasArlington to advance to the NCAA tournament, and will face University of Alabama Friday in Austin.

This year’s postseason marks the first in three years that the Ladyjacks defeated Texas State, Austin Byrd/Star photo finishing with a perfect ABOVE AND BEYOND: Sophomore outside hitter 19-0 record in conferLawrencia Brown (11) had 23 kills to lead the Bobence action, including cats over the Roadrunners 3-2 in the first round of three playoff wins.

The Bobcats bested the Southland Conference Tournament Nov. 17 at the SFA in the 2004 title UTSA Convocation Center. game, then shocked the conference as a third seed ter the win over UTSA. “They’re probin last year’s playoffs, knocking out the ably one of our biggest rivals.” regular-season champion Ladyjacks on Outside hitter Lawrencia Brown led their way to a second-straight league an offense that registered four players crown. with at least 10 kills, paving the way with “We’ve been improving up (this a match-high 23. The sophomore also match),” said Debbie Humphreys, SFA notched 15 digs, tops on the team along coch. “Everybody talks about the last two with Hickman and outside hitter senior years. They were a better team two years Kelly Fletcher. ago, and last year they took their game “This was one of Lawrencia’s best perto a level higher than anyone had seen formances of the year,” said Assistant all season. For us it makes this one that Coach Tracy McWilliams. “It’s been a much sweeter.” long season and her arm is tired. She has The Bobcats won their tournament a tweak in it, and it’s limited her reach opener, a five-game thriller over the host and strength. This week we came in and Roadrunners Nov. 17. tried to straighten her out.”

Texas State won the match on the The Bobcats took game one 30-28, strength of 57 assists from San Antonio but proceeded to drop the next two, by native and setter Erin Hickman. The se- a combined total of seven points. Game nior posted 108 total assists during the two went back and forth, with the score tournament, ending a season of ups and tied as late as 28-all. But an attack error downs. Hickman started the year inac- by middle blocker Karry Griffin and kill tive after undergoing surgery last spring.

See VOLLEYBALL, page 9 “It’s a great feeling,” Hickman said af-